Nasa Indian killed as Colombian violence continues

A 57-year-old Nasa Indian man has been shot dead in an alleged army attack in Colombia.

Álvaro Chocué was shot in the head on Saturday, 30th March in the Caldono Indian Reserve in Colombia’s south-west Cauca province.

Army officials claim the shooting occurred during an armed confrontation between soldiers and illegal armed insurgents of the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), but Nasa leaders say his body was found near a military check-point away from where the conflict took place.

Cauca Indian organization ACIN told Colombian press, ‘The military were supposedly manning a check point when Álvaro Chocué passed by and was shot dead. It took place on indigenous land.’

Following the incident, three soldiers were detained by local Nasa Indians in protest. The soldiers were released 24 hours later, after the army promised to investigate the case.